Jillian Segal Proposes Ombudsman to Monitor Public Broadcasters
Special envoy Jillian Segal proposed an independent ombudsman to monitor Gaza war coverage by ABC and SBS to combat antisemitism in Australia.
Australia's special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, proposed the creation of an external independent ombudsman to monitor how public broadcasters ABC and SBS cover the war in Gaza. In an updated ASECA Priorities plan released October 30, 2026, Segal argued that current reporting is often "subjective, inaccurate and disproportionate," which she claims contributes to hostility toward Jewish Australians.
The plan extends beyond media oversight, recommending that the government screen all visa applicants for antisemitic views and allow grant authorities to terminate funding for academics and artists who engage in antisemitic conduct or speech. Segal stated these proposals are not intended to silence criticism of Israel.
ABC and SBS have rejected the calls for external oversight. The Progressive Jewish Council of Australia condemned the plan as "Trumpian" and a threat to academic freedom and freedom of speech. These proposals follow a royal commission established after the December Bondi beach massacre, where 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration.
